More evacuations in face of "inevitable" flooding
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Evacuation began yesterday for residents of Muang Ake housing estate just north of Bangkok.
Pracha Promnok, director of the government’s Flood Relief Operation Centre (FROC), ordered the evacuation shortly after noon as water from Rangsit Canal flowed into Muang Ake and other housing estates nearby following leaks in the flood walls.
Protected by the walls, Muang Ake had earlier remained dry, as many housing estates in the area north of Bangkok were flooded.
Military trucks were used to transport evacuees to an evacuation centre at the Chalerm Phrakiet government complex that is capable of housing 1,000 people, according to Pracha. Evacuation centres in Bangkok, such as those at Rajamangala Stadium and Supachalasai Stadium have also been prepared for more evacuees, he said.
The FROC also has evacuation centres in provinces that have not been affected by flooding, such as Saraburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Chon Buri.
Pracha admitted there was a 50-50 chance of flooding in Bangkok, particularly in inner city areas.
Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut yesterday said he wanted the public to listen to the FROC in order to avoid confusion regarding the flood situation that was caused by water runoff that was difficult to contain.
Theera said parts of Bangkok would be flooded and the severity would depend on levels in each area.
“We have to admit that flooding is inevitable now. It is water runoff that is difficult to contain. We will have to allow the water to flow because we can’t control it now,” he said.
